Slow Food and the Department of Tourism (DOT) of the Philippines proudly announce the launch of the country’s first Slow Food Travel destination, Negros Island, marking a milestone in the promotion of sustainable gastronomic tourism in Asia. This pioneering initiative lays the foundation for a growing national and international network of Slow Food Travel experiences across the Philippines.
Known as the Organic Capital of the Philippines, Negros Island is a haven of fertile volcanic soils, rich marine ecosystems, heirloom ingredients, and unique food traditions. Here, visitors are invited to go beyond typical sightseeing and immerse themselves in the stories, people, and landscapes that give life to the island’s extraordinary biodiversity.
“With Negros Island, we celebrate a destination where biodiversity, heritage, and community are inseparable. Slow Food Travel offers visitors not just a taste of a place, but an encounter with the people who preserve its identity. The Philippines has immense gastronomic richness, and Negros marks the beginning of a new chapter for sustainable tourism in the region. Visitors will have the opportunity to plant mangroves, cacao and coffee beans, making tourism a way to give back to communities,” said Paolo Di Croce, General Director, Slow Food.
Christina Frasco, Secretary, Department of Tourism, Philippines, added: “We are proud to launch the first Slow Food Travel destination in the Philippines, right here on Negros Island. This initiative reflects our commitment to developing tourism that uplifts communities, protects our natural resources, and honours our cultural and culinary traditions. We invite travelers from around the world to discover the flavors and stories that make Negros extraordinary.”
A Tailored Journey Through Food, Culture, and Community
The new Slow Food Travel destination allows visitors to build personalised itineraries rooted in their interests – whether farming, fishing, traditional cooking, biodiversity conservation, or cultural heritage.
Among other possibilities, travellers can:
- Experience farm-to-table cuisine at Vientos, sampling cassava delicacies like alupi made with coconut milk and local sugar.
- Visit Minoyan’s coffee farms with the Slow Food Coffee Coalition, share a farmer’s lunch, and learn the art of coffee cupping at Coffee Culture Roastery.
- Enjoy a Slow Food dinner at Lanai, highlighting “Ark of Taste” ingredients including batuan, kadyos, adlai, and Criollo cacao.
- Explore the mangrove sanctuary of Suyac Island Eco-Park and snorkel in the pristine waters of Carbin Reef.
- Meet the young caretakers of culture at Museo Sang Bata Sa Negros and savor coastal flavors through a kinilaw tasting with second generation master Mark Lobaton
- Craft your own tablea at Christopher Fadriga’s Criollo cacao nursery, discover organic farming traditions at Mailum Organic Village Association, and taste rare heritage delicacies like Bago River eel.
Every experience offers a direct connection to the farmers, fisherfolk, artisans, and cooks who preserve the island’s culinary identity and protect its biodiversity.
A New Model for Sustainable Tourism
Slow Food Travel promotes a form of tourism rooted in meeting producers, learning traditions, and experiencing food at its source. Through encounters with farmers, cheesemakers, fishers, cooks, and Slow Food communities, travelers gain an intimate understanding of local identity and culture.
Hospitality is offered directly by producers and local partners committed to serving ingredients that are “good, clean, and fair”, ensuring a journey that nourishes both travelers and the communities they visit.
Partnership for a Shared Future
The Negros Island Slow Food Travel project is the result of a strong partnership between Slow Food and the Department of Tourism, working together to highlight food biodiversity, empower local producers, and position the Philippines as a global destination for responsible and regenerative tourism, as well as for unique food and gastronomy tourism experiences.
Tour Operator Contacts
To book experiences:
- Bacolod Tour Guide Co. Ltd. – Nathan Rio
https://bacolodtourguide.com/ - BMG Tours and Travel Corp. – Bing Montinola
https://www.facebook.com/bmgtoursandtravel/
